Haggai 1:8 June 30, 2013

Sam and Jennifer Jones 
Haggai 1:8

Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.

This verse is set in the context of the preaching of the prophet Haggai to a number of Jews who have returned to Judah from their captivity in Babylon.

After some seventy years of exile, the Jews felt little urgency in rebuilding the temple, being more concerned about building their own homes after their return to Judah. 

Now, God, through Haggai, is speaking to the Jews. Earlier, in Chapter 1, Haggai has told his people that "the time has come for the Lord's house to be built" in this land. The people are living in their "paneled houses", yet the house of the Lord remains in ruin. And, in this particular verse, the Lord, through Haggai, tells his people to "go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it, and be honored. " Haggai has thus given the call to build the house of the Lord. 

Our country's economy seems to be in a state of unrest right now -the "R" word keeps popping up in the news. A number of Americans are concerned about jobs, stability, and housing. Yet, in this time of economic turmoil, we at Westminster have been given a call to build onto our house of the Lord. We need to "go up into the mountain" and do our part to insure that the Lord's house be built. Each of us must bring to his house our own little bit of "timber" to make sure that the Lord can be glorified in this, his house of worship. We must accept this call from the Lord, so that He may take pleasure in his house, and be honored.

Our Heavenly Father please guide us, not only now in our time of building, but throughout our lives, as we glorify your holy name. We ask for your wisdom, your encouragement, and your resolve, as we strive to complete the task to which you have called us. Bless our Westminster family as we pursue the call to build onto your temple for the glorification of your divine name. AMEN.